Dear Congregant,
Shul is an essential part of our lives and our sense of community. We are heartbroken that we had to be apart for so long and are very much looking forward to resume prayers. To do so safely, we have drafted 4 phases of reopening which you can review below.
We will be offering several Minyan times at different locations for the holiday of Shavuot in order to accommodate our community safely and comply with social distance regulations.
Please take the time to fill out the form and waiver letting us know which services you will be attending on Shavuot. Reservations are on a first come first serve basis. If we hit capacity, we will contact you via email with an alternate minyan option in the neighborhood.
The form and waiver must be submitted before 11 PM on Wednesday May 27th.
The safety of our community depends on you, so please adhere to all conditions and directives.
**Please note there will be no kids program and people over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay at home. Congregants shall assess their own risk knowing their medical history and family members with compromised immune systems**
Thank you so much,
MSS Shul
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people.
MSS Shul has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, MSS Shul cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending MSS Shul could increase your risk and your families risk of contracting COVID-19.
By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending MSS Shul and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at MSS Shul may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, MSS Shul employees, volunteers, and program participants and their families.
I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I or my child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with my attendance at MSS Shul or participation in MSS Shul programming ("Claims"). On my behalf, and on behalf of my children, I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless MSS Shul, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. I understand and agree that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of MSS Shul, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any of the MSS Shul's programs or by improper sanitization or improper enforcement of the reopening guidelines of MSS Shul or the State & County Guidelines.
Plans for reopening MSS
Phase 1: 12-15 men can join the minyan as long as they are healthy, under the age of 65 and do not have family at home who are over 65 or immune compromised. *security will be checking temperatures of all attendees *No kids program will be held and therefore kids should be left at home. *Women are encouraged to stay at home unless they have a deep yearning to attend prayers. 5 seats will be available. *Maintain strict social distancing of 6ft, *Families living in the same household can sit together. All other members should sit in designated seats placed 6ft apart. *Gloves and masks are encouraged and will be provided for those who wish to wear them. *There will be no official kiddush *Shul will be sanitized. *Congregants are encouraged to bring their own prayer books and talit. *members are asked to wash hands after using the restroom in the hallway sinks congregants are encouraged to bring their own prayer books and talit. *kissing of the torah and prayer books are not encouraged.
Phase 2: *35-40 men to join prayers as long as they are healthy, under the age of 65 and do not have family at home who are over 65 or immune compromised. *security will be checking tempatures of all attendees *No kids program will be held and therefore kids should be left at home. *Women are encouraged to stay at home unless they have a deep yearning to attend prayers. 10 seats will be available. *Maintain moderate social distancing of 6ft, *Families living in the same household can sit together. All other members should sit in designated seats placed 6ft apart. *Gloves and masks are encouraged and will be provided for those who wish to wear them. *There will be a limited kiddush. Food servings will be placed on individual plates. *Shul will be sanitized *Congregants are encouraged to bring their own prayer books and talit. *members are asked to wash hands after using the restroom in the hallway sinks *kissing of the torah and prayer books are not encouraged.
Phase 3: *Up to 50 men can join the prayers as long as they are healthy, under the age of 65 and do not have family at home who are over 65 or immune compromised. *Security will check temperatures of all attendees *kids program will reopen under strict guidelines therefore children that must visit their parents frequently should stay at home and only those who can stay at the program should attend * up to 15 seats will be available for women *Maintain social distancing of 6ft, *Families living in the same household can sit together. All other members should sit in designated seats placed 6ft apart. *Gloves and masks are encouraged and will be provided for those who wish to wear them. * A limited kiddush will be served. Food servings will be placed on individual plates. *Shul will be sanitized. *Congregants are encouraged to bring their own prayer books and talit. *members are asked to wash hands after using the restroom in the hallway sinks *kissing of the torah and prayer books are not encouraged.
Phase 4: All women and men are invited to attend shul unless they are immune compromised. (Respiratory problems, have undergone chemotherapy, have a cold, obesity, diabetes) Kids program and kiddush will reopen and social distancing will still be encouraged. Security will check temperatures of all attendees.
